When the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved pathology and preventive care as the first two official veterinary specialties in 1951, it marked the formal beginning of specialization in this profession. Oradell Animal Hospital has played a significant role in this evolution, both here in New Jersey and across the US.
In 1961, Drs. Anthony Palminteri and Gary Johnson opened Oradell Animal Hospital in a small house where they saw patients in the living room and performed surgery in the kitchen. That same year, they opened a second hospital in Hasbrouck Heights.
When the American College of Veterinary Surgery first offered Diplomate status and gave its initial certifying examination in 1968, Dr. Palminteri became the first veterinary surgeon in New Jersey to pass the exam and earn board certification, reflecting his dedication to excellence—and setting the standard for specialized care in this region.
By 1969, OAH outgrew its original building and acquired a facility in Paramus. Throughout the 1970s, the practice gained national recognition for its cutting-edge veterinary medicine and surgery, with its doctors invited to lecture across the country. In 1972, OAH was accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a distinction it still holds by undergoing rigorous on-site inspections every three years. Only 12 to 15% of US animal hospitals achieve this accreditation.
To further advance the profession, in 1979 Oradell Animal Hospital launched an internship program to train new veterinary school graduates. More than 350 interns have completed the program to date, many of whom are now esteemed veterinarians at the hospital.
As demand for OAH’s services has grown, new locations have been added, including Fort Lee in 1994. These expansion efforts culminated with the 2003 opening of Oradell Animal Hospital’s expansive 36,000 square foot facility in Paramus, New Jersey, which accommodates an ever-growing team of board-certified specialists and other skilled practitioners.
In 2013, Oradell Animal Hospital was designated a Veterinary Trauma Center by VetCOT, an initiative of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care to improve veterinary trauma care—once again affirming OAH’s reputation as a pioneer and standard-bearer in advanced veterinary care.
